Folding end extensible table with elevating structure



p 1953 D. GRABER ET AL 2,652,300

FOLDING END EXTENSIBLE TABLE WITH ELEVATING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 "L, 14 I W y\ a 25 /8 4 25 5119.5. :1

INVENTORS DOROTHY GRABER HERMAN GRABER P 1953 D. GRABER ET AL 2,652,300

FOLDING END EXTENSIBLE TABLE WITH ELEVATING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 5, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 5 e0 6/) 64 W 62 W63 I 6 4 j 44 47 61/45 LHMJ; 2 y w JNVENTORS DOROTHY GRABER HERMAN GRA'BER Patented Sept. 15, 1953 FOLDING END EXTENSIBLE TABLE WITH ELEVATING STRUCTURE Dorothy Graber and Herman Graber, Bronx, N. Y. Application February 3, 1950, Serial No. 142,182

1 Claim.

This invention relates to extensible tables and pertains particularly to an extensible table which when collapsed assumes the form of a valise.

One object of the present invention is to provide an extensible table which is readily portable in its collapsed form.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable extensible table which when extended is substantially sturdy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible and portable table which when collapsed assumes the form of a valise and still retains article carrying space.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reliably sturdy portable table which is extensible with a minimum of effort.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the same collapsed and closed.

Fig. 2 is an isometric View of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing same partially opened.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing one of the sliding leaves.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating one of the leaves with the folding legs thereof extended.

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view showing the table completely extended.

Fig. 6A is an enlarged detailed side elevational view of a portion of Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 1--1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an isometric embodiment of the invention as it appears when collapsed and closed.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 8 showing the interior thereof.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines Ill-40 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a partial section taken along the lines I |--l l in Fig. 9 showing the hinged arrangement of the corner legs.

Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the hinged corner legs partially and fully extended.

view showing a second.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the lines I 3-l3 in Fig. 9 and shows the hinged arrangement of one of the center legs.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one of the center legs extended.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the lines l5l5 in Fig. 9 and illustrates the resilient means whereby the center leaves are positioned before the table is extended.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the relation between the resilient means and the leaves before the table isextended.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the dispositions of the various components when the table is extended.

Fig. 18 is another fragmentary sectional view showing the appearances of certain of the components when the table is open.

Fig. 19 is a partial front elevational view illustrating the manner in which the second embodiment is extended.

Fig. 20 is a front elevational View of the second embodiment showing same fully extended.

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment extended.

The first embodiment, as seen best in Figs. 1 and 2, includes two open box members in and ll which are similar to those found in the con struction of any ordinary valise. Each of said box members includes a left and a right side panel l2 and I3, respectively, a front and rear panel I4 and 15, respectively, and a top panel I6. Said box members are hingedly connected as at l9 and are provided with latching means 20 whereby they may be maintained in closed relation when it is so desired. Also, a handle 2| mounted on the front panel 14 of at least one of said box members enables the arrangement to be handled and carried like any valise.

Positioned in each of said box members and spaced from said top panels 16 are false bottom panels 22 (Figs. 2, 5 and 7) which bottom panels are provided with retaining means such as straps 23 for receiving and holding articles such as knives, forks, plates, etc.

The false bottom panels 22 are retained in position by means of spring latches 22 see Figs. 2 and 5, having spring pressed bolt members which engage into complementary keeper notches in the front and rear panels I4 and I5 for removably retaining the panels 22 in position. The construction is such that the latches may be disengaged from their keeper notches in the front and rear panels I 4 and I 5 freeing the false bot- .om panels 22 to be lifted out of the box membraces 29 are provided legs to limit the swing of saidlegs.

As clearly apparent from Figs: 1'and2;the'

leaves 26 are somewhat narrowerrthanithewidth of the openings 25 providing a clearance between the sides of the leaves and the inner faces of the side panels l2 and I3 for the braces 29. When the leaves 26 are in position within the box-members wand ll; asshown in-Figs. 21and. 5,.the legs 21 extend along-the sides of th'e false bottom panels 22, the panelsbeing ofa width to fit snugly between the-legs 2l and retain the. leaves 26 against possible lateralshiftihgwithin the wider openings 25. The-front 'edgesofthe. leaves-:26 are provided with-small :pull knobs 26 in the form of eyelets, by which-agrip can be hadron the leaves for pulling them=from their positions within the'box members I and-1 I.

As seen in Figs. 1 and of said top panels-l6 is provid'ed'with a plurality of dowel holes 3|; and;-as seenin Figs. 3 and 4, the side of each of the table leaves-26 opposite that at which the-legs are attached is provided with a correspondingplurality of projecting dowel pins 32.

Means is provided-for"retaining 'theleavesI26 against the-edges of the top-panels: [6 in which the dowels 32 will be retained in'position within the dowel holes-3|. The=le'af retaining means'is characterized by bracesn3 4 which are *extended diagonally between theside 1 panels-Ashe inner faces of the side panels I2' -and* l3-'-and theadjacent side edges -of: the :leaves 26.". The; inner endsof the braces-34, "see particularlyFigsfiA," are provided with outwardly extended pins 1:10 which fit into complementary holes 1 I on'the inner faces of the side panels 'and l3.l Theouter ends of the braces 34 I carry threaded:wingedcscrews .12 which are screwed into complementarytthread-x ed holes 13, see Figs. '3 and 4,.formedtin. theside edges of the leaves 26.""When:thevtableistto-be collapsed; the winged screws IZIareunscreWed; from-the holes 13 and the :pins 10 arevdisengaged from the holes ll completely separating: the braces 34-to be stored withinthecompletely collapsed valise. 'If desired; one of the'afalse bottom panels 1 22 could The provided with-straps beneath which the braces- 34 tcould be ::engaged whenthe valise is completelymollapsed.

Normally, or whenthe table is unextended; the table leaves 26;- with the'legs :2Iffolded thereagainst are carried in saidbox:member's betweenf said bottom "and top :panels :and; to insure against any tendency forzthe said :legs to unfold, blocks 33" are provided and 'secured 'at the-lower cornersof said box membersv (Figs.:2, Sand '1).-

When itis desired .to extend thetable to -assume the form thereof -seen intFigs; 6 and '7; the false bottom panels 22 are-firstremoved andthe table leaves 26 are removed slidingly from the box members through? the openings. 2 and: the box members are .foldedzbackruntil the-crear..;panels.

provided with a pair of legs 21 attached thereto by hinges-28ii Foldable between said leaves and 2., the front sideof each.

'- bers 40 and 4| each include front panels 42,

and right-.sidepanels 43 and 44, respectively, and

topzpanelsa45 (Figs. 8, 9 and 10).

Also included are latches 46 for maintaining the box members "closed'and a handle 41 for carrying the arrangewill. be seen; that the .said

.48 to positions at right angles to the top beneath the center legs 56,

menth Pair oflegs 48 are provided in each of said box members and are hingedly connected thereto as at =49. 1 As seen in Figs. 11 and 12, said legs 48 are adapted to fold and lie parallel to the said top panels.:45 and are further adapted to be extended to positions. at right anglesto said top panels. Foldingbraces .5llare provided tobrace said. legs when ingthe just mentioned. right. angle positions.

In the present embodiment a pair of. tableleaves 55 are each provided with a cross piece49 affixed tocone side edge thereof, which cross pieces are hingedly connected at 53. Affixed to 1 each of the leaves 5! at the side and mid-points of .the cross pieces 52 are blocks 54. Hingedly attached to eachblock 54, asat 55, is a center leg 56, which legs may be extended in like manner to the aforementioned legs 48 and braced in similar fashion by folding braces 51 (Figs. 10, 13 and 14). A spacing block58 affixed to one of said center legs 56 assists inbracing said legs when in :their extended positions.

Now,'with: reference to Figs; 9 and 15-18, it box members [0 and H are provided ,withspring housings 60, one 00-.- extensive g'with and adjacent each of the side panels-thereof. Saidrhousings are-each formed by one of said side panels, a topv panel, a'top piece 5i and a side pieoe62. The side pieces 62 aresuch as to permit the mentioned table leaves 5| to fit slidably between same and the respective-top. panels 45. Slide pieces 63 coextensive with and affixedat right angles to the side edges of said-table leaves are adapted to fit slidably in the respective ones of said spring housings 50. Disposed in said housings 60 and adapted to associate withsaid slide pieces 63 are strap springs 64.

When'it is desired to extend the present table arrangement in the manner seen in Figs. 19-21 the boxsmembers 40 and 4! are opened until the cross pieces 52 are in face-to-face engagement. Then" all of the legs may be extended, the legs panels 45"ofthe box members and the center legs '56 to positions at right angles to the leaves 5!. At thiszxpoint, in view of the equal lengths of all ofthe legsand the inclusion of the blocks 54 said center legs will belonger than the others.-

However, when the box "members are drawn apart the coaction between the slide pieces 63 affixed to the leaves 5| and the strap springs 64 carried in the above described spring housings 60 will cause said leaves tosnap into aposition in which they and the top panels 45 will be 00- To close the table the box members are raised slightly and a slight pressure is exerted on the leaves 5|. This effects the depression of the springs 64 and permits the slide pieces to slide into the spring housings '60 and the leaves to slide under the top panels and into the box members. Thereafter said box members may be closed and latched, and the resilience of the strap springs 64 is such as to afford sufiicient frictional engagement between same and the slide pieces to thereby prevent the sliding of said leaves from said box members when the arrangement is being carried by the handle 41.

The insides of the box members 40 and 4| of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 21 could be provided with false bottom panels, similar to the false bottom panels 22 employed in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, for carrying knives, forks, spoons, plates, vacuum bottles and other similar articles commonly used on picnics.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

An extensible table comprising a pair of hingedly connected table leaves to be opened to be coplanar, a, pair of box members each ineluding a front, side, and top panel and each receiving slidably therein adjacent said top panel one of said table leaves, spring housings mounted on each side of said table leaves, strap springs housed in said compartments, said housings being longer than said leaves and having spring members therein, said box members sliding along said leaves to an extended position, said housings forming supports for said box members in extended position and the top panels of said box members are coplanar with said leaves.

DOROTHY GRABER. HERMAN GRABER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 623,682 Muntz Apr. 25, 1899 684,120 Smith Oct. 8, 1901 700,222 Muntz May 20, 1902 739,409 Finkbeiner Sept. 29, 1903 835,973 Mitchell Nov. 13, 1906 973,220 Schmidtmann Oct. 18, 1910 1,063,642 Birdsall June 3, 1913 1,086,941 Sarkoze Feb. 10, 1914 1,147,353 Zelenak July 20, 1915 1, 94,019 Hirsch Aug. 8, 1916 1,206,582 Orofino Nov. 28, 1916 1,785,616 Corroron Dec. 16 1930 1,840,492 Duggan Jan. 12, 1932 2,053,659 Gisser Sept. 8, 1936 2,085,724 Black July 6, 1937 

